This weekend, protests escalated at Tesla showrooms across the United States as hundreds gathered to boycott Elon Musk and his involvement with the Trump administration, specifically his role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This department oversees efforts to significantly reduce the federal workforce as part of a plan to cut government spending.
The protests are largely associated with the Tesla Takedown movement, which emerged in February and calls on supporters to “sell your Teslas, dump your stock, join the picket lines” to “stop Musk.” Activism has intensified recently, resulting in larger crowds and some arrests.
While the majority of protests remained peaceful, numerous incidents of vandalism and arson have targeted Tesla properties. In Boston, Tesla charging stations were set on fire, and numerous vehicles were burned at a dealership in France. An Oregon Tesla showroom experienced gunfire that damaged cars, while a Boston man was arrested for placing stickers on Tesla vehicles portraying Musk in a Nazi-like salute. Additionally, authorities in Colorado arrested a woman for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at Tesla cars.
Notable protests across the U.S.
In Manhattan, over 350 protestors gathered outside the Tesla showroom in the West Village on Saturday. Chants included “Nobody voted for Elon Musk” and “Oligarchs out, democracy in.” Some protestors displayed signs reading, “Send Musk to Mars Now!!” The demonstration coincided with the celebrations for International Women’s Day, drawing a larger turnout. A heavy police presence was reported, and five protestors were arrested for disorderly conduct, with another charged for resisting arrest and obstruction.
In Boston, approximately 300 demonstrators rallied on Boylston Street, staging a flash mob in front of the Tesla dealership. Shua Sanchez, an organizer of the rally, stated, “We are not condoning property damage for sure, but Elon should keep in mind that if he wants to attack the basic rights, the basic well-being of regular people, he shouldn’t be surprised when some people decide to be more direct about it.” No arrests occurred during this protest.
Chicago saw hundreds of protestors outside the Streeterville Tesla showroom, joined by participants from the Women’s Day march. Protestors carried signs that read “Launch Musk to Mars” and “Democracy Dies with DOGE.” In Orland Park, clashes occurred between protestors and MAGA movement supporters, but no arrests were reported.
In Florida’s Delray Beach, dozens rallied at Musk’s Tesla dealership, holding signs with slogans such as “Fight fascism,” “Democracy is not a business plan,” and “No one voted for Elon Musk!!” Participant Jeff Finkelstein expressed frustrations regarding Musk’s political actions since the Trump administration took office.
On the West Coast, hundreds gathered in front of Tesla’s Old Pasadena dealership, where Rep. Judy Chu criticized Musk’s DOGE initiative and President Trump’s firing of federal workers. She stated, “No. Instead, he has fired thousands of workers from the National Weather Service, which we rely on to tell us if there’s a dangerous weather event.” This protest marked the second consecutive weekend of demonstrations in Pasadena.
Steve Wozniak thinks Tesla is the worst for this particular reason
Internationally, protests also took place with dozens gathering in Lisbon, Portugal, holding signs that read “Boycott Tesla.” This demonstration occurred just before what may be Portugal’s third parliamentary election in three years.
Despite the ongoing protests and negative publicity, sales of electric vehicles (EVs) continue to show resilience. According to Motor Intelligence, 3.2 million hybrid or electric vehicles were sold in 2024, representing 20 percent of the auto market. Ivan Drury from Edmunds commented on the rapid changes within the EV industry, noting substantial transitions occurring within the last few months.
Amidst a downturn in Tesla’s stock price, which has seen its longest losing streak since 2010, the company’s shares have declined over 50% since hitting a high of $479.86 in December 2023, resulting in a loss of over $800 billion in market capitalization. Economic uncertainties, particularly regarding tariffs, are contributing to the challenges faced by Tesla.
Brand erosion is also impacting Tesla as Musk’s political behavior and his leadership of DOGE come under scrutiny. Vandalism incidents and public backlash against Musk could deter potential customers, with analysts noting that the perception of safety related to Tesla vehicles is in jeopardy.
Tesla’s CFO Vaibhav Taneja recently sold $1.7 million in shares, and Board Chair Robyn Denholm sold approximately $33 million in shares, as stock prices continue to plummet amid worsening market conditions.
Featured image credit: Vlad Tchompalov/Unsplash
